Good to know

The Right of Public Access

The Right of Public Access is a unique opportunity to move freely throughout the Swedish countryside. But along with rights come responsibilities. Consideration and care must be given to nature and wildlife, to landowners and the others with whom you share the Swedish countryside.

The freedom to wander

The 1,200-kilometre Skåneleden Trail crosses
through forests, pastures and beaches. If you are hiking along the Skåneleden
Trail, it is important to keep in mind that you are travelling over someone
else’s land. Some 1,000 landowners have generously made their lands available
for hiking. Close gates behind you and do not cross into or over anyone else’s
property. Do not cross or enter areas where reforestation or cultivation is
underway, and be aware that the Right of Public Access is limited in nature
reserves and national parks. You will find the rules posted on information
boards in these areas. You can also contact municipal or county administrations
for more information. As a guest enjoying the Swedish countryside, it is always
up to you to find out what the rules are in the areas you visit. You will find more information on the Right of Public Access here.

Spending your night under the stars

Camping under the night skies in fresh air is a wonderful experience. According to the
Right of Public Access, you can pitch your tent in the countryside for one
night before you have to move to a new place. If you are part of a larger group
with many tents, you must have the landowner’s permission. Keep in mind that
you may not disturb or intrude upon the landowner or damage nature in any way.
Choose hardy ground to pitch your tent, and do not camp on land used for
grazing or any type of agriculture or cultivation. Your campsite must be
located well away from people’s houses. In national parks and nature reserves,
special regulations for camping may apply.

Lighting fires

Once you’ve settled in, a campfire can add to
the outdoor ambience. You may light a fire in nature as long as there is no ban
on open fires. Bans on open fires are especially common during the summers when
it can be dry. Please check out the updated trail status applied to
each section on this website to know if there is a ban on open fires. Remember that you are personally responsible for
the fire and can be held liable for any fire damage. Whenever possible, use the
purpose-built grill areas, or reduce the risk of your fire getting out of
control by preparing a temporary grill area on an appropriate surface. Always
extinguish your fire or the embers with water, and remove any custom-built
grills before you continue on your way.

Fishing along the Trail

Fresh fish is extra delicious when you’ve been
hiking. But fishing is not allowed everywhere. Fishing with hand-held equipment
is normally permitted along the seashore. For all other waters in Skåne, you
will need a fishing license. Read more about fishing in South Sweden here.

Picking berries and gathering wood

In most places it’s okay to pick berries, wild flowers, herbs, mushrooms
or cones from evergreens, please be aware that these thing can differ in a
national park, nature reserve or on privately owned land. Always read the signs
and keep yourself updated what is allowed in the area that you are located.
However, you may not harvest living trees or remove any parts from them,
including twigs, branches, bark (inner and outer), leaves, acorns, nuts and
resin. This means you cannot cut down trees for firewood or to build a shelter.

Rubbish and remains from your visit

Our civilisation produces a great quantities of
rubbish and this is true even when we are out hiking. Arriving at a place of
natural beauty, only to find that others have literally trashed the view by
littering, is upsetting to say the least. Please keep this in mind as you
travel through the countryside. Do not litter - always carry your rubbish out
with you until you can dispose of it appropriately. Not only will you preserve
and protect the experience of others, you will also help to keep wildlife safe
from injury. Our campsites are usually equipped with rubbish bins.

Hiking with canine companions

Dogs are wonderful companions when you are out
walking. But remember that those you share the trail with may be frightened by
dogs running loose. Dogs can also inflict a lot of stress on wildlife and grazing
animals. Please exercise consideration and keep your dog on a leash. In nature
reserves and national parks, keeping your dog on a leash is mandatory. Between
March 1 and August 20, all dogs must be on a leash at all times and in all
parts of Sweden. This is to protect wild creatures when they are most
vulnerable, i.e. during the birthing or hatching season.

Hiking in groups

Hiking the Skåneleden Trail is a fantastic experience. It’s only natural to want to share the experience with family and
friends. Remember that The Right of Public Access allows for individuals to
move freely across privately-owned land. If you are travelling in a group, it
is extra important to be considerate. Camping in larger groups always requires
the landowner’s permission. Keep noise levels low so that future hikers will be
as welcome as you are.

The Golden Rule

Imagine that you live in Skåne and you own a
piece of land. You feel a strong sense of pride in Skåne’s beautiful
countryside and you want as many people as possible to enjoy it. That’s why you give your permission to the
municipality to allow the Skåneleden Trail to pass through your lands. But one
day you find garbage in your meadow. Someone has also knocked down the markers
in several places and failed to close the gate that keeps your sheep and cattle
safely enclosed. It’s a real disappointment. And you regret your generosity. To
offer an attractive trail, we must leave the countryside we pass through in the
same good condition in which we found it. Do not disturb - do not destroy.

Cycling and riding horses along the trail

After many days of hiking, your feet might be
feeling a bit tender and your senses may be longing for change. Perhaps you’d
like to test cycling or horseback riding in the countryside. The Skåneleden
Trail is a hiking trail and landowners have agreed that their lands can be used
for the purpose of hiking. Thus we do not recommend cycling or riding horses on
the Skåneleden Trail. We refer you instead to trails designed especially for
cycling and riding horses. Off-road driving of any type of motorised vehicle is
always prohibited.